SummaryThe Aryl hydrocarbon receptor is an evolutionary conserved widely expressed transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of a substantial variety of exogenous toxins, but is also stimulated by endogenous physiological ligands. While it is known that this receptor mediates the toxicity of dioxin, this is unlikely to be its physiological function. We have recently identified selective expression of AhR in the Th17 subset of effector CD4 T cells. Ligation of AhR by a candidate endogenous ligand (FICZ) which is a UV metabolite of tryptophan causes expansion of Th17 cells and the induction of IL-22 production. As a consequence, AhR ligation will exacerbate autoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Little is known so far about the impact of AhR ligands on IL-17/IL-22 mediated immune defense functions. IL-22 is considered a pro-inflammatory Th17 cytokine, which is involved in the etiology of psoriasis, but it has also been shown to be a survival factor for epithelial cells. AhR is polymorphic and defined as high or low affinity receptor for dioxin leading to the classification of high and low responder mouse strains based on defined mutations. In humans similar polymorphisms exist and although on the whole human AhR is thought to be of low affinity in humans, there are identified mutations that confer high responder status. No correlations have been made with Th17 mediated immune responses in mice and humans. This study aims to investigate the role of AhR ligands and polymorphisms in autoimmunity as well as protective immune responses using both mouse models and human samples from normal controls as well as psoriasis patients.

The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor is an evolutionary conserved widely expressed transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of a substantial variety of exogenous toxins, but is also stimulated by endogenous physiological ligands. While it is known that this receptor mediates the toxicity of dioxin, this is unlikely to be its physiological function. We have recently identified selective expression of AhR in the Th17 subset of effector CD4 T cells. Ligation of AhR by a candidate endogenous ligand (FICZ) which is a UV metabolite of tryptophan causes expansion of Th17 cells and the induction of IL-22 production. As a consequence, AhR ligation will exacerbate autoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Little is known so far about the impact of AhR ligands on IL-17/IL-22 mediated immune defense functions. IL-22 is considered a pro-inflammatory Th17 cytokine, which is involved in the etiology of psoriasis, but it has also been shown to be a survival factor for epithelial cells. AhR is polymorphic and defined as high or low affinity receptor for dioxin leading to the classification of high and low responder mouse strains based on defined mutations. In humans similar polymorphisms exist and although on the whole human AhR is thought to be of low affinity in humans, there are identified mutations that confer high responder status. No correlations have been made with Th17 mediated immune responses in mice and humans. This study aims to investigate the role of AhR ligands and polymorphisms in autoimmunity as well as protective immune responses using both mouse models and human samples from normal controls as well as psoriasis patients.

SummaryThis project focuses on two questions about host/parasite interactions: how do biotrophic plant pathogens suppress host defence? and, what is the basis for pathogen specialization on specific host species? A broadly accepted model explains resistance and susceptibility to plant pathogens. First, pathogens make conserved molecules ( PAMPS ) such as flagellin, that plants detect via cell surface receptors, leading to PAMP-Triggered Immunity (PTI). Second, pathogens make effectors that suppress PTI. Third, plants carry 100s of Resistance (R) genes that detect an effector, and activate Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). One effector is sufficient to trigger resistance. Albugo candida (Ac) (white rust) strongly suppresses host defence; Ac-infected Arabidopsis are susceptible to pathogen races to which they are otherwise resistant. Ac is an oomycete, not a fungus. Arabidopsis is resistant to races of Ac that infect brassicas. The proposed project involves three programs. First ( genomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics ), we will use next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods (Solexa and GS-Flex), and novel transcriptomics methods to define the genome sequence and effector set of three Ac strains, as well as carrying out >40- deep resequencing of 7 additional Ac strains. Second, ( effectoromics ), we will carry out functional assays using Effector Detector Vectors (Sohn Plant Cell 19:4077 [2007]), with the set of Ac effectors, screening for enhanced virulence, for suppression of defence, for effectors that are recognized by R genes in disease resistant Arabidopsis and for host effector targets. Third, ( resistance diversity ), we will characterize Arabidopsis germplasm for R genes to Ac, both for recognition of Arabidopsis strains of Ac, and for recognition in Arabidopsis of effectors from Ac strains that infect brassica. This proposal focuses on Ac, but will establish methods that could discover new R genes in non-hosts against many plant diseases.

This project focuses on two questions about host/parasite interactions: how do biotrophic plant pathogens suppress host defence? and, what is the basis for pathogen specialization on specific host species? A broadly accepted model explains resistance and susceptibility to plant pathogens. First, pathogens make conserved molecules ( PAMPS ) such as flagellin, that plants detect via cell surface receptors, leading to PAMP-Triggered Immunity (PTI). Second, pathogens make effectors that suppress PTI. Third, plants carry 100s of Resistance (R) genes that detect an effector, and activate Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). One effector is sufficient to trigger resistance. Albugo candida (Ac) (white rust) strongly suppresses host defence; Ac-infected Arabidopsis are susceptible to pathogen races to which they are otherwise resistant. Ac is an oomycete, not a fungus. Arabidopsis is resistant to races of Ac that infect brassicas. The proposed project involves three programs. First ( genomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics ), we will use next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods (Solexa and GS-Flex), and novel transcriptomics methods to define the genome sequence and effector set of three Ac strains, as well as carrying out >40- deep resequencing of 7 additional Ac strains. Second, ( effectoromics ), we will carry out functional assays using Effector Detector Vectors (Sohn Plant Cell 19:4077 [2007]), with the set of Ac effectors, screening for enhanced virulence, for suppression of defence, for effectors that are recognized by R genes in disease resistant Arabidopsis and for host effector targets. Third, ( resistance diversity ), we will characterize Arabidopsis germplasm for R genes to Ac, both for recognition of Arabidopsis strains of Ac, and for recognition in Arabidopsis of effectors from Ac strains that infect brassica. This proposal focuses on Ac, but will establish methods that could discover new R genes in non-hosts against many plant diseases.

Max ERC Funding

2 498 923 €

Duration

Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2014-06-30

Project acronymAnonymClassic

ProjectThe Arabic Anonymous in a World Classic

Researcher (PI)Beatrice GRUENDLER

Host Institution (HI)FREIE UNIVERSITAET BERLIN

Call DetailsAdvanced Grant (AdG), SH5, ERC-2016-ADG

SummaryAnonymClassic is the first ever comprehensive study of Kalila and Dimna (a book of wisdom in fable form), a text of premodern world literature. Its spread is comparable to that of the Bible, except that it passed from Hinduism and Buddhism via Islam to Christianity. Its Arabic version, produced in the 8th century, when this was the lingua franca of the Near East, became the source of all further translations up to the 19th century. The work’s multilingual history involving circa forty languages has never been systematically studied. The absence of available research has made world literature ignore it, while scholars of Arabic avoided it because of its widely diverging manuscripts, so that the actual shape of the Arabic key version is still in need of investigation. AnonymClassic tests a number of ‘high-risk’ propositions, including three key hypotheses: 1) The anonymous Arabic copyists of Kalila and Dimna are de facto co-authors, 2) their agency is comparable to that of the named medieval translators, and 3) the fluctuation of the Arabic versions is conditioned by the work’s fictional status. AnonymClassic’s methodology relies on a cross-lingual narratological analysis of the Arabic versions and all medieval translations (supported by a synoptic digital edition), which takes precisely the interventions at each stage of transmission (redaction, translation) as its subject. Considering the work’s paths of dissemination from India to Europe, AnonymClassic will challenge the prevalent Western theoretical lens on world literature conceived ‘from above’ with the view ‘from below,’ based on the attested cross-cultural network constituted by its versions. AnonymClassic will introduce a new paradigm of an East-Western literary continuum with Arabic as a cultural bridge. Against the current background of Europe’s diversifying and multicultural society, AnonymClassic purposes to integrate pre-modern Near Eastern literature and culture into our understanding of Global Culture.

AnonymClassic is the first ever comprehensive study of Kalila and Dimna (a book of wisdom in fable form), a text of premodern world literature. Its spread is comparable to that of the Bible, except that it passed from Hinduism and Buddhism via Islam to Christianity. Its Arabic version, produced in the 8th century, when this was the lingua franca of the Near East, became the source of all further translations up to the 19th century. The work’s multilingual history involving circa forty languages has never been systematically studied. The absence of available research has made world literature ignore it, while scholars of Arabic avoided it because of its widely diverging manuscripts, so that the actual shape of the Arabic key version is still in need of investigation. AnonymClassic tests a number of ‘high-risk’ propositions, including three key hypotheses: 1) The anonymous Arabic copyists of Kalila and Dimna are de facto co-authors, 2) their agency is comparable to that of the named medieval translators, and 3) the fluctuation of the Arabic versions is conditioned by the work’s fictional status. AnonymClassic’s methodology relies on a cross-lingual narratological analysis of the Arabic versions and all medieval translations (supported by a synoptic digital edition), which takes precisely the interventions at each stage of transmission (redaction, translation) as its subject. Considering the work’s paths of dissemination from India to Europe, AnonymClassic will challenge the prevalent Western theoretical lens on world literature conceived ‘from above’ with the view ‘from below,’ based on the attested cross-cultural network constituted by its versions. AnonymClassic will introduce a new paradigm of an East-Western literary continuum with Arabic as a cultural bridge. Against the current background of Europe’s diversifying and multicultural society, AnonymClassic purposes to integrate pre-modern Near Eastern literature and culture into our understanding of Global Culture.

Max ERC Funding

2 435 113 €

Duration

Start date: 2018-01-01, End date: 2022-12-31

Project acronymBARCODED-CELLTRACING

ProjectEndogenous barcoding for in vivo fate mapping of lineage development in the blood and immune system

Researcher (PI)Hans-Reimer RODEWALD

Host Institution (HI)DEUTSCHES KREBSFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM HEIDELBERG

Call DetailsAdvanced Grant (AdG), LS6, ERC-2016-ADG

SummaryThe immune system is a complex ensemble of diverse lineages. Studies on in-vivo-hematopoiesis have until
now largely rested on transplantation. More physiological experiments have been limited by the inability to
analyze hematopoietic stem (HSC) and progenitor cells in situ without cell isolation and other disruptive
manipulations. We have developed mouse mutants in which a fluorescent marker can be switched on in HSC
in situ (inducible fate mapping), and traced HSC lineage output under unperturbed conditions in vivo. These
experiments uncovered marked differences comparing in situ and post-transplantation hematopoiesis. These
new developments raise several important questions, notably on the developmental fates HSC realize in vivo
(as opposed to their experimental potential), and on the structure (routes and nodes) of hematopoiesis from
HSC to peripheral blood and immune lineages. Answers to these questions (and in fact the deconvolution of
any tissue) require the development of non-invasive, high resolution barcoding systems. We have now
designed, built and tested a DNA-based barcoding system, termed Polylox, that is based on an artificial
recombination locus in which Cre recombinase can generate several hundred thousand genetic tags in mice.
We chose the Cre-loxP system to link high resolution barcoding (i.e. the ability to barcode single cells and to
fate map their progeny) to the zoo of tissue- or stage-specific, inducible Cre-driver mice. Here, I will present
the principles of this endogenous barcoding system, demonstrate its experimental and analytical feasibilities
and its power to resolve complex lineages. The work program addresses in a comprehensive manner major
open questions on the structure of the hematopoietic system that builds and maintains the immune system.
This project ultimately aims at an in depth dissection of unique or common lineage pathways emerging from
HSC, and at resolving relationships within cell lineages of the immune system.

The immune system is a complex ensemble of diverse lineages. Studies on in-vivo-hematopoiesis have until
now largely rested on transplantation. More physiological experiments have been limited by the inability to
analyze hematopoietic stem (HSC) and progenitor cells in situ without cell isolation and other disruptive
manipulations. We have developed mouse mutants in which a fluorescent marker can be switched on in HSC
in situ (inducible fate mapping), and traced HSC lineage output under unperturbed conditions in vivo. These
experiments uncovered marked differences comparing in situ and post-transplantation hematopoiesis. These
new developments raise several important questions, notably on the developmental fates HSC realize in vivo
(as opposed to their experimental potential), and on the structure (routes and nodes) of hematopoiesis from
HSC to peripheral blood and immune lineages. Answers to these questions (and in fact the deconvolution of
any tissue) require the development of non-invasive, high resolution barcoding systems. We have now
designed, built and tested a DNA-based barcoding system, termed Polylox, that is based on an artificial
recombination locus in which Cre recombinase can generate several hundred thousand genetic tags in mice.
We chose the Cre-loxP system to link high resolution barcoding (i.e. the ability to barcode single cells and to
fate map their progeny) to the zoo of tissue- or stage-specific, inducible Cre-driver mice. Here, I will present
the principles of this endogenous barcoding system, demonstrate its experimental and analytical feasibilities
and its power to resolve complex lineages. The work program addresses in a comprehensive manner major
open questions on the structure of the hematopoietic system that builds and maintains the immune system.
This project ultimately aims at an in depth dissection of unique or common lineage pathways emerging from
HSC, and at resolving relationships within cell lineages of the immune system.

SummaryCD8 T lymphocytes have a fundamental role in ensuring the control of different types of intracellular pathogens including bacteria, parasites and most viruses. This control may fail due to several reasons. The current aggressive anti-cancer therapies (or rarely certain congenital immune deficiencies) induce CD8 depletion. After bone-marrow transplantation, long time periods are required to ensure T cell reconstitution particularly in the adult. This long lag-time is due to the long-time periods required for hematopoietic precursors to generate T lymphocytes and to a thymus insufficiency in the adult. However, even when CD8 T cells are present CD8 immune responses are not always adequate. Certain chronic infections, as HIV, induce CD8 dysfunction and it is yet unclear how to generate efficient CD8 memory responses conferring adequate protection. To address these questions this project aims 1) To find strategies ensuring the rapid reconstitution of the peripheral and the gut CD8 T cell compartments a) by studying the mechanisms involved HSC division and T cell commitment; b) by isolating and characterizing progenitors we previously described that are T cell committed and able of an accelerated CD8 reconstitution c) by developing new strategies that may allow stable thymus transplantation and continuous thymus T cell generation. 2) To determine the mechanics associated to efficient CD8 memory generation a) by evaluating cellular modifications that ensure the efficient division and the remarkable accumulation and survival of CD8 T cells during the adequate immune responses as compared to inefficient responses b) by studying CD8 differentiation into effector and memory cells in both conditions. These studies will use original experiment mouse models we develop in the laboratory, that allow to address each of these aims. Besides state of the art methods, they will also apply unique very advanced approaches we introduced and are the sole laboratory to perform.

CD8 T lymphocytes have a fundamental role in ensuring the control of different types of intracellular pathogens including bacteria, parasites and most viruses. This control may fail due to several reasons. The current aggressive anti-cancer therapies (or rarely certain congenital immune deficiencies) induce CD8 depletion. After bone-marrow transplantation, long time periods are required to ensure T cell reconstitution particularly in the adult. This long lag-time is due to the long-time periods required for hematopoietic precursors to generate T lymphocytes and to a thymus insufficiency in the adult. However, even when CD8 T cells are present CD8 immune responses are not always adequate. Certain chronic infections, as HIV, induce CD8 dysfunction and it is yet unclear how to generate efficient CD8 memory responses conferring adequate protection. To address these questions this project aims 1) To find strategies ensuring the rapid reconstitution of the peripheral and the gut CD8 T cell compartments a) by studying the mechanisms involved HSC division and T cell commitment; b) by isolating and characterizing progenitors we previously described that are T cell committed and able of an accelerated CD8 reconstitution c) by developing new strategies that may allow stable thymus transplantation and continuous thymus T cell generation. 2) To determine the mechanics associated to efficient CD8 memory generation a) by evaluating cellular modifications that ensure the efficient division and the remarkable accumulation and survival of CD8 T cells during the adequate immune responses as compared to inefficient responses b) by studying CD8 differentiation into effector and memory cells in both conditions. These studies will use original experiment mouse models we develop in the laboratory, that allow to address each of these aims. Besides state of the art methods, they will also apply unique very advanced approaches we introduced and are the sole laboratory to perform.

SummaryThis project aims to establish criteria by which results from language contact studies can be used to strengthen the field of historical linguistics. It does so by applying the scenario model for language contact studies to a number of concrete settings, which differ widely in their level of aggregation and dime depth: the languages of the Amazonian fringe in South America, the complex multilingual setting of the Republic of Suriname, the multilingual interaction of immigrant groups in the Netherlands, and two groups of multilingual individuals. New methods from structural phylogenetics are employed, and the same linguistic variables (TMA and evidentiality marking, argument realization) will be studied in the various projects. In the various projects, use will be made from a shared questionnaire, so that comparable data can be gathered. By applying the scenaio model at various levels of aggregation, a more principled link between language contact studies and historical linguistics can be established.

This project aims to establish criteria by which results from language contact studies can be used to strengthen the field of historical linguistics. It does so by applying the scenario model for language contact studies to a number of concrete settings, which differ widely in their level of aggregation and dime depth: the languages of the Amazonian fringe in South America, the complex multilingual setting of the Republic of Suriname, the multilingual interaction of immigrant groups in the Netherlands, and two groups of multilingual individuals. New methods from structural phylogenetics are employed, and the same linguistic variables (TMA and evidentiality marking, argument realization) will be studied in the various projects. In the various projects, use will be made from a shared questionnaire, so that comparable data can be gathered. By applying the scenaio model at various levels of aggregation, a more principled link between language contact studies and historical linguistics can be established.

Max ERC Funding

2 499 950 €

Duration

Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2013-12-31

Project acronymENLIGHTEN

ProjectINTEGRATION AND PROPAGATION OF IMMUNOLOGICAL SIGNALS DURING CANCER AND INFECTION

SummaryThe immune system uses both short- and long-range communication mechanisms to mount the coordinated and sophisticated cellular responses required to control microbial infections or fight tumors. Yet, our understanding of how immunological signals are integrated and propagated by individual cells in complex tissue microenvironments remains largely limited.
ENLIGHTEN is a research program dedicated to establish new mechanisms by which the immune system fight tumors or infections, based on the direct manipulation of immunological signals in vivo. In relevant mouse models of human disease, we will combine intravital imaging, fluorescent sensors and optogenetic actuators to control single cell functions in real-time. We wish to understand how T cells sense and interpret cell-contacts in lymphoid organs and in developing tumors at steady state or during immunotherapy. In addition, we aim to establish how cytokine and chemokine gradients form in tissues and are interpreted by immune cells during infection or cancer.
By determining the functional contribution of single immune cells in vivo, we aim to identify new paradigms for information transfer in the immune system during cancer or infection and to establish the combination of optogenetics and intravital imaging as a powerful strategy for decoding immune reactions in the context of disease pathogenesis.

The immune system uses both short- and long-range communication mechanisms to mount the coordinated and sophisticated cellular responses required to control microbial infections or fight tumors. Yet, our understanding of how immunological signals are integrated and propagated by individual cells in complex tissue microenvironments remains largely limited.
ENLIGHTEN is a research program dedicated to establish new mechanisms by which the immune system fight tumors or infections, based on the direct manipulation of immunological signals in vivo. In relevant mouse models of human disease, we will combine intravital imaging, fluorescent sensors and optogenetic actuators to control single cell functions in real-time. We wish to understand how T cells sense and interpret cell-contacts in lymphoid organs and in developing tumors at steady state or during immunotherapy. In addition, we aim to establish how cytokine and chemokine gradients form in tissues and are interpreted by immune cells during infection or cancer.
By determining the functional contribution of single immune cells in vivo, we aim to identify new paradigms for information transfer in the immune system during cancer or infection and to establish the combination of optogenetics and intravital imaging as a powerful strategy for decoding immune reactions in the context of disease pathogenesis.

Max ERC Funding

2 499 994 €

Duration

Start date: 2018-01-01, End date: 2022-12-31

Project acronymEUROPUBLICISLAM

ProjectIslam in the Making of a European Public Sphere

Researcher (PI)Nilufer Gole

Host Institution (HI)ECOLE DES HAUTES ETUDES EN SCIENCES SOCIALES

Call DetailsAdvanced Grant (AdG), SH5, ERC-2008-AdG

SummaryDuring the last three decades, Islam has gained visibility in European public spheres through new religious symbols, but as well as new public figures, men and women, pious and secular who carry Islam in European public life. Islamic entry in the public sphere, and the claims for religious visibility provoke a series of debates on gender equality, freedom of expression and cultural (civilisational) differences in European publics. EUROPUBLICISLAM sets itself the intellectual research agenda of bringing together different fields of knowledge and analysis of the transformative forces that appear in the contemporary meeting of Islam and Europe. It proposes to develop an innovative understanding of the sporadic and at times violent ways in which Islam intervenes in the making of the European public sphere. EUROPUBLICISLAM engages with the European scholarly agenda on migration, the construction of a European public sphere, and Islam. It aims at shifting the contemporary theorization of Islam in Europe away from the integration and security paradigms, and towards a new theory of dynamics of interaction and mutual change. A new research field is marked out in combining and transforming the contemporary theorizations of European public sphere and European Islam. EUROPUBLICISLAM proposes to study religious symbols, artistic cultural productions and public figures affecting the everyday politics of cultural discord. It aims to re-conceptualize the place of Islam in the making of a European public sphere. An innovative methodology is proposed to study the constellations , the assemblages that bring together cultural differences in proximity and in confrontation across national public spheres, following a transnational dynamics. EUROPUBLICISLAM will thus contribute to the production of innovative research on the making and imaging a European public sphere where transformative cultural and aesthetic mixes and thus political pluralism are taking place.

During the last three decades, Islam has gained visibility in European public spheres through new religious symbols, but as well as new public figures, men and women, pious and secular who carry Islam in European public life. Islamic entry in the public sphere, and the claims for religious visibility provoke a series of debates on gender equality, freedom of expression and cultural (civilisational) differences in European publics. EUROPUBLICISLAM sets itself the intellectual research agenda of bringing together different fields of knowledge and analysis of the transformative forces that appear in the contemporary meeting of Islam and Europe. It proposes to develop an innovative understanding of the sporadic and at times violent ways in which Islam intervenes in the making of the European public sphere. EUROPUBLICISLAM engages with the European scholarly agenda on migration, the construction of a European public sphere, and Islam. It aims at shifting the contemporary theorization of Islam in Europe away from the integration and security paradigms, and towards a new theory of dynamics of interaction and mutual change. A new research field is marked out in combining and transforming the contemporary theorizations of European public sphere and European Islam. EUROPUBLICISLAM proposes to study religious symbols, artistic cultural productions and public figures affecting the everyday politics of cultural discord. It aims to re-conceptualize the place of Islam in the making of a European public sphere. An innovative methodology is proposed to study the constellations , the assemblages that bring together cultural differences in proximity and in confrontation across national public spheres, following a transnational dynamics. EUROPUBLICISLAM will thus contribute to the production of innovative research on the making and imaging a European public sphere where transformative cultural and aesthetic mixes and thus political pluralism are taking place.

Max ERC Funding

1 414 645 €

Duration

Start date: 2008-12-01, End date: 2013-03-31

Project acronymFMWK 1870-2008

ProjectThe surfaces of cement and reinforced concrete. A history of the formworks and processing of the surface, 1870-2008

Researcher (PI)Roberto Gargiani

Host Institution (HI)ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE

Call DetailsAdvanced Grant (AdG), SH5, ERC-2008-AdG

SummarySince the nineteenth century, the reinforced concrete has been generating a vast specialized litterature everywhere in the world. However, none of it has ever tried to make a first assessment of the evolution of one of the most fundamental element in the processing of the reinforced concrete: the formwork; nor have been reconstructed the various ways of processing the surfaces after removal of the formwork in order to get special effects of polished or rustic surface. Therefore, on the subject of manufacturing of the formworks and processing of the surface, there is a true gap in the studies on reinforced concrete that the research The surfaces of cement and reinforced concrete. A history of the formworks and processing of the surface, 1870-2008 intends to fill. Whether historical or operationnal, this gap lacks not only of the context of the evolution from the nineteenth century, but also of a comprehensive outline of the recent production. The purpose of the research is to provide the most comprehensive documentation and the most significant examples of the international architectural production on the subject of formworks and concrete surfaces within the time span considered. Drawing up the outline of the various types of building and processing of the surfaces will be extraordinarily useful for the historiography of architecture, which will hence have a scientific instrument to evaluate the works in terms of connections between form and material in relation to concrete, as well as for the modern formworks in which the technicial and artistical issues of reinforced concrete processing at sight still remain fundamental. The results of the research will be collected in a book with the caracteristics of an essay, consisting of an important written part and an extremely rich iconographic documentation (project drawings, photographs of building sites and tools, etc.); it will be structured as a synthesis between the technical manual and the historical critical essay.

Since the nineteenth century, the reinforced concrete has been generating a vast specialized litterature everywhere in the world. However, none of it has ever tried to make a first assessment of the evolution of one of the most fundamental element in the processing of the reinforced concrete: the formwork; nor have been reconstructed the various ways of processing the surfaces after removal of the formwork in order to get special effects of polished or rustic surface. Therefore, on the subject of manufacturing of the formworks and processing of the surface, there is a true gap in the studies on reinforced concrete that the research The surfaces of cement and reinforced concrete. A history of the formworks and processing of the surface, 1870-2008 intends to fill. Whether historical or operationnal, this gap lacks not only of the context of the evolution from the nineteenth century, but also of a comprehensive outline of the recent production. The purpose of the research is to provide the most comprehensive documentation and the most significant examples of the international architectural production on the subject of formworks and concrete surfaces within the time span considered. Drawing up the outline of the various types of building and processing of the surfaces will be extraordinarily useful for the historiography of architecture, which will hence have a scientific instrument to evaluate the works in terms of connections between form and material in relation to concrete, as well as for the modern formworks in which the technicial and artistical issues of reinforced concrete processing at sight still remain fundamental. The results of the research will be collected in a book with the caracteristics of an essay, consisting of an important written part and an extremely rich iconographic documentation (project drawings, photographs of building sites and tools, etc.); it will be structured as a synthesis between the technical manual and the historical critical essay.

Max ERC Funding

660 000 €

Duration

Start date: 2009-03-01, End date: 2015-02-28

Project acronymGroup Agency

ProjectThe Normative and Moral Foundations of Group Agency

Researcher (PI)Herlinde Pauer-Studer

Host Institution (HI)UNIVERSITAT WIEN

Call DetailsAdvanced Grant (AdG), SH5, ERC-2016-ADG

SummaryThough philosophers have debated intensely the issue of group agency in the last years, little scholarly work has yet been done on the normative constitution of group agents. The present project will fill this lacuna in a groundbreaking way. A philosophical analysis of the constitutive conditions of individual and collective agency will be combined with recent research in moral philosophy, legal theory and economic theory on the organisational structure of institutional agency. The first aim of the project is to provide a detailed philosophical investigation of the normative foundations of group agency and to work out the rational and moral norms that constitute and guide group agents. The second aim is to explore the implications of such an analysis for moral and legal philosophy. The third aim of the project is to apply the philosophical results to a normative analysis of corporate and economic agents.
The main objectives of this project are:
(1) To analyse the constitutive and regulative rules of group agency and their impact on the normative identity and self-understanding of associative as well as institutional group agents.
(2) To investigate the consequences of philosophical work on group agency for recent theorising in moral and legal philosophy.
(3) To explore how the achieved philosophical results can help advance a normative understanding of group agents with a clear organisational structure such as corporate and economic agents.
The results will give us a new understanding of group agency, but will also have an impact on debates about the concept of agency in moral philosophy, legal philosophy, and philosophy of economics. Methodologically, the project will cover philosophy of action, moral philosophy, legal theory, philosophy of economics, and organisation theory.
The project will also have an impact on wider debates about normative orders in general and the normative framework and structure of social, political and economic institutions.

Though philosophers have debated intensely the issue of group agency in the last years, little scholarly work has yet been done on the normative constitution of group agents. The present project will fill this lacuna in a groundbreaking way. A philosophical analysis of the constitutive conditions of individual and collective agency will be combined with recent research in moral philosophy, legal theory and economic theory on the organisational structure of institutional agency. The first aim of the project is to provide a detailed philosophical investigation of the normative foundations of group agency and to work out the rational and moral norms that constitute and guide group agents. The second aim is to explore the implications of such an analysis for moral and legal philosophy. The third aim of the project is to apply the philosophical results to a normative analysis of corporate and economic agents.
The main objectives of this project are:
(1) To analyse the constitutive and regulative rules of group agency and their impact on the normative identity and self-understanding of associative as well as institutional group agents.
(2) To investigate the consequences of philosophical work on group agency for recent theorising in moral and legal philosophy.
(3) To explore how the achieved philosophical results can help advance a normative understanding of group agents with a clear organisational structure such as corporate and economic agents.
The results will give us a new understanding of group agency, but will also have an impact on debates about the concept of agency in moral philosophy, legal philosophy, and philosophy of economics. Methodologically, the project will cover philosophy of action, moral philosophy, legal theory, philosophy of economics, and organisation theory.
The project will also have an impact on wider debates about normative orders in general and the normative framework and structure of social, political and economic institutions.